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Increase in cases of cholera and gastroenteritis

Staff Reporter

MCD blames Jal Board for not supplying clean water to Capital

NEW DELHI: With cases of cholera and gastroenteritis on the increase in the Capital, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has blamed the Delhi Jal Board for having failed to supply clean water in many areas across the city.

In its latest report on testing of water samples in all the civic zones, the MCD has pointed out that of 2,508 water samples supplied by the Jal Board in various areas, 35 were found unfit for drinking.

The MCD collects water samples from each civic zone. These samples are collected independently by the civic body's Health Department teams or by joint teams comprising employees of both the MCD and the Jal Board. The samples collected are generally from public taps, water trolleys, water distribution plants and water tanks.

The MCD's Health Department teams collected 1,747 samples of which 24 samples were found unfit, mainly from the Sadar Paharganj and Shahdara (South) zones. Whereas the joint team of MCD and DJB collected 761 samples of which eight samples failed, all in the Sadar Paharganj zone. Similarly, reports of poor water quality have also come in from Outer Delhi and South Delhi areas.

"It is surprising that whenever we send our independent team for sample collection work, more cases of supply of unclean water are reported, while cases found during raids by joint teams are far less. Most of these samples fail in chlorine testing, exposing the water utility's failure to properly treat raw water with chlorine to make it potable. Another reason behind supply of contaminated water is old and leaking pipelines," said a senior MCD Health Department official.

Stating that these two zones were the most vulnerable as a large number of workers live and work here, he said non-availability of clean water leads to spread of cholera and gastro in these areas. "Last year, more than 1,000 cholera cases were reported, while this year around 100 cases have already been reported. Similarly, gastro cases are also on the rise, clearly indicating that the situation might worsen if corrective measures are not taken immediately," said a senior MCD official.

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